Two deaths due to the Nipah virus have been reported in Manta and Ghosta villages in Manikganj Sadar upazila of Manikganj, although the civil surgeon has confirmed only one.
Babul Hossain, a businessman and the son of former UP member Mainuddin from Ward No 1 in Manta, died while undergoing treatment at Dhanmondi's Popular Hospital in Dhaka at midnight on Saturday.
Dr Lutfar Rahman, the (acting) district civil surgeon, confirmed Babul’s death from the Nipah virus.
Besides, on January 16, Lutfar Rahman, 27, son of Nakumuddin from Ghosta Jahanginagar village, died in the same union.
Jasim Uddin, a member of Ward No 1 of Putail union, said he died from the Nipah virus after consuming date juice.
Quoting the victim's family, Putail UP Chairman Mahidur Rahman Mahid said that Babul Hossain fell ill after consuming date palm juice 15 days ago. He was first admitted to Manikganj 250-bed General Hospital on January 16 for treatment. However, when his physical condition deteriorated, he was taken to Dhaka's Dhanmondi Popular Hospital on an urgent basis for better treatment. He died Saturday midnight while undergoing treatment there. The body was buried in the local cemetery after the funeral at Manta village around 11am on Sunday.
Jasim Uddin, UP member of Ward No 1 of Putail Union, informed that after consuming the raw juice of dates, Lutfar started having headaches and fever. At first, he took medicines brought from the local doctor in Ghosta Bazar. However, when his condition worsened, he was taken to Dhaka for better treatment. Lutfar died there on January 16 while undergoing treatment.
He added that in the last two weeks, two people in two villages died of the Nipah virus after consuming date juice in their area.
